Genetic effects for maize traits in acid and non-acid soils

Abstract

Breeding programs for acid-soil tolerance are desirable as a relatively inexpensive and permanent way for increasing maize (Zea mays L.) yield on these soils. Our objective was to compare the genetic effects controlling the expression of maize traits in acid and non-acid soils. Seven related and one unrelated inbred lines, with different levels of tolerance to acid soil, and their F1, F2, BC1, and BC2 generations were evaluated in four acid and two non-acid soils. Estimates of additive, dominance, and epistatic effects were computed for grain yield, plant height, days to mid-silk, and prolificacy, using the generation means analysis procedure. For all traits the major part of the variation was accounted for by additive and dominance effects, with dominance effects being more important than additive and epistatic effects for both acid and non-acid soils. Epistatic effects were significant for some crosses only, being more pronounced for plant height than for the other traits. Furthermore, epistatic effects were randomly distributed among the crosses and were not related to the grain yield of the single-crosses (F1's) and to the genetic relationships of the inbreds in either type of soil. The results suggest that similar pooled gene effects control the expression of the traits assessed in both acid and non-acid soils

Line × tester analysis of maize grain yield under acid and non‐acid soil conditions

“…The current study clearly illustrates the sensitivity of maize grain yield to low pH stress. These findings are consistent with previous studies of maize yield in acid soils (Ali et al, 2012;Borrero et al, 1995;Ceballos et al, 1998;Pérez Velásquez et al, 2008).…”

“…Genetic variation has been detected in field trials for grain yield, plant height, days to mid-silk, and ear prolificacy under acid and non-acid soil conditions (Pérez Velásquez, de Souza, Narro, Pandey, & de León, 2008). Additive and dominant gene effects were more important than epistatic effects for grain yield (Pandey, Narro, Friesen, & Waddington, 2007;Pérez Velásquez et al, 2008). For plant height, additive effects were less sensitive to soil acidity than dominant gene effects.…”

“…For plant height, additive effects were less sensitive to soil acidity than dominant gene effects. Pérez Velásquez et al (2008) reported that additive, dominance, and epistatic effects were important in acid soil, whereas additive and dominance effects were important for prolificacy in non-acid soils, and Pandey et al (2007) found that the inheritance of grain yield, plant height, mid-silk and prolificacy did not differ in acid and non-acid soils. Narro and Arcos (2010) found that both additive and nonadditive gene action were crucial in the expression of callose content as a surrogate trait for selecting for Al tolerance.…”

Agro-morphological Characterization of Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids Under Acid Soils in Two Contrasting Environments

“…The cultivation of maize covers all of the five agro-ecological zones of Cameroon (Ngonkeu, 2009) where yields are limited by several constraints such as soil acidity (Horst, 1997), diseases and pests (Adregbola, 1994), the non-use of suitable agricultural practices as well as the unavailability and ignorance of improved seeds. Maize yields were found to be reduced significantly because of aluminum and/or manganese toxicity, with deficiencies in Ca, Mg, P, and Mo (Aldrich et al, 1975;Borrero et al, 1995;Clark, 1997;Krstic et al, 2012) inhibiting root development and reducing water absorption in plant (Mossor-Pietraszewska, 2001;Velasquez et al, 2008). The humid forest areas of the country covers 21.7 million hectares with 75 to 100% of acidic soils (Bindzi-Tsala, 1987;Ambassa-Kiki, 2002).…”

Effect of dolomite amendment of acid Andosols on the performance of two green beans varieties in the Cameroon Western Highlands

“…Acid soils occupy about 3.95 billion hectares (30%) of the total world arable soils (Von Uexkuel and Mutert 1995; Velasquez et al 2008). In Africa, acid soils cover 25% of total arable land and about 75% in Cameroon (Bindzi 1987;Ambassa-Kiki et al 2002).…”